Classic Scotch Old Fashioned Cocktail Drink Recipe

Learn how to make the best Scotch Old Fashioned cocktail recipe.

Scotland is home to many award-winning whisky brands that taste great when shaken into a classic Old Fashioned cocktail (with a twist!)

Prepare this easy Scottish whisky cocktail recipe for a festive holiday drink best enjoyed during the fall at Thanksgiving and winter during the holiday Christmas season and Rabbie Burns Day in January.

Our homemade classic Scotch Old Fashioned features premium Scotch Whisky, white sugar, orange bitters, orange peel and Maraschino cherry.

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Save our traditional Scotch Old Fashioned recipe to Pinterest!
Save our traditional Scotch Old Fashioned recipe to Pinterest!

Travel To Scotland to Sip a Classic Scotch Old Fashioned

There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with the best Scotch Old Fashioned cocktail recipe then by planning a vacation to visit the world’s best whisky distilleries.

Some of the world’s most famous whisky distilleries can be found in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In Scotland we enjoyed a scenic road trip to the Isle of Islay, which is best known for its famous Islay Scotch whisky distilleries. If you’re looking to experience the best things to do on the Isle of Islay visit award-winning distilleries like Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Bowmore.

We also suggest sipping local Scottish whisky on the Isle of Skye, Glasgow, Edinburgh and The Highlands. One of our favourite things to do in Edinburgh is the The Scotch Whisky Experience.

Every pub, bar, restaurants and hotel cocktail bar in Scotland (including the tiniest Bed and Breakfast) offers a selection Scotch bottles, ready to satisfy a weary, thirsty traveler.

Once you’ve arrived in Scotland on holiday we suggest asking your nearest bartender to fix you a simple Scotch Old Fashioned.

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Scotch Old Fashioned ingredients.
Scotch Old Fashioned ingredients.

10 Best Scotch Whisky Brands

If it’s your first time making a homemade Scotch Old Fashioned you’ll want to sample a selection of premium whisky bottles distilled in Scotland. Here are a few of our favourite Scotch brands:

Our easy Scotch Old Fashioned recipe requires a shot glass, cocktail glass and cocktail spoon.
Our easy Scotch Old Fashioned recipe requires a shot glass, cocktail glass and cocktail spoon.

Best Bartender Tools & Cocktail Equipment

Before hosting a swanky Scotch Old Fashioned soiree you’ll need to ensure you have the best bartender tools and cocktail equipment.

  • Cocktail Kit: cocktail kits are the perfect gift for newbie mixology fans as they include basic bartender tools like a jigger, shaker and spoon.
  • Cocktail Shaker: a bartenders best friend. Purchase a premium cocktail shaker to muddle or shake up your favourite pink gin cocktails.
  • Cocktail Glassware: make sure your bar is stocked with a selection of unique glassware to show off your favourite cocktail creations.
  • Hawthorne Strainer: this unique strainer features tightly wound coils and perforated holes. It keeps ice and other large ingredients like lime wedges in your cocktail shaker rather than in the glass.
  • Bar Spoons: slender and long bar spoons are a must-have when stirring drinks.
  • Bottle Opener: easily open bottles of beer or cider with the flick of your wrist or purchase a corkscrew for fine wine.
  • Pouring Spout: once you’ve opened a new bottle of gin insert these affordable pourers to make cocktail assembly a breeze.
  • Cutting Board: purchase a petite cutting board for your bar to slice garnishes or citrus wedges like lime, orange, lemon or grapefruit.
  • Ice Bucket: chill bottles of gin quickly in an ice bucket or keep by the bar when muddling gin mixers into cool creations.
  • Ice Crusher: fans of the Mint Julep love an ice crusher.
  • Ice Cube Kit: we suggest purchasing a selection of ice cube trays. Silicone styles are our favourite as they’re easy to clean and are available in various shapes and sizes.
  • Jigger: use a jigger to accurately measure spirits, juices, syrups and shrubs.
  • Juicer: invest in an electronic juicer or buy an affordable hand-held to easily juice fresh citrus like lemons and limes.
  • Muddler: fans of the Mojito love a sturdy muddler to mix mint and lime. Muddler’s are handy for any cocktail featuring ingredients that need a pounding like fresh herbs or citrus wedges.
  • Citrus Peeler & Zester: adorn your craft cocktails with a thick citrus peel or finer ribbons of lime or lemon zest.
  • Rimmer: Bloody Mary and Caesar lovers should outfit their bar with a handy rimmer for salting and sugaring glassware.
Use a vegetable peeler on a fresh orange when serving a freshly made Scotch Old Fashioned.
Use a vegetable peeler on a fresh orange when serving a freshly made Scotch Old Fashioned.

Scotch Old Fashioned Ingredients

Our favourite Scottish whisky cocktail is made with the best fresh ingredients:

  • Scotch Whisky: if you’ve never sipped a peated whisky, we highly recommend using a classic Scotch from the Isle of Islay for a very unique Scottish sipping experience.
  • White Sugar: a sugar cube will do or use a measuring spoon for loose white sugar.
  • Grand Marnier: This elegant orange flavoured cognac offers a subtle citrus note and sweetness in the glass.
  • Bitters: add a few dashes of bitters to round out your cocktail. We suggest Angostura Bitters or Orange Bitters.
  • Orange Peel: use a vegetable peeler to shave fresh slices of orange peel to perfume and decorate the glass.
  • Garnish: adorn the rocks glass with a Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.
The classic Scotch Old Fashioned features bitters, white sugar, orange peel, Scottish whisky and a cherries.
The classic Scotch Old Fashioned features bitters, white sugar, orange peel, Scottish whisky and a cherries.
Use your favourite premium Scottish whisky when preparing a homemade Scotch Old Fashioned.
Use your favourite premium Scottish whisky when preparing a homemade Scotch Old Fashioned.

Irish Old Fashioned Cocktail Tips

This Scotch Old Fashioned recipe is easy to make at home, ready to serve in 5-10 minutes.

We love serving Scotch Old Fashioned cocktails in the fall and winter months as they do a great job at warming you up on a cold day! The recipe is a real crowd pleaser at holiday parties and Thanksgiving dinner.

Our Scotch Whisky Old Fashioned recipe serves one person. If you’re hosting a large gathering feel free to multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and muddle the drink in a punch bowl or jug rather than a cocktail shaker.

Serve a Scotch Old Fashioned over ice or strain before pouring into a rocks glass.
Serve a Scotch Old Fashioned over ice or strain before pouring into a rocks glass.
Classic Scotch Old Fashioned garnishes include orange peel and maraschino cherries.
Classic Scotch Old Fashioned garnishes include orange peel and maraschino cherries.

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The Scotch Old Fashioned is one of our favourite Scottish cocktails to enjoy on Rabbie Burns Day.
The Scotch Old Fashioned is one of our favourite Scottish cocktails to enjoy on Rabbie Burns Day.
Now you've learned how to make a classic Scotch Old Fashioned!
Now you’ve learned how to make a classic Scotch Old Fashioned!

How To Make a Classic Scotch Old Fashioned

Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Scotch Old Fashioned Cocktail

Learn how to make a classic Scotch Old Fashioned cocktail. Our easy recipe features Scottish Whisky, sugar, bitters, orange peel & cherry.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Scottish
Keyword: Scotch Old Fashioned
Servings: 1
Calories: 146kcal

Equipment

  • measuring spoon
  • Cocktail Glass
  • Cocktail spoon
  • Shot Glass

Ingredients

  • 0.5 tsp White Sugar
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • 2 oz Scotch
  • Maraschino Cherry and Orange Peel garnish

Instructions

  • Place sugar in a rocks glass and saturate it with bitters. Stir to mix.
  • Add the Scotch, fill the glass with ice, and stir with a cocktail spoon.
  • .Garnish with Maraschino cherry and orange peel.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 3g

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